Ureteral ectopia is a congenital abnormality in which one or both ureters does not open into the bladder. This is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in the immature bitch, but is rarely ... [more ▼]

Ureteral ectopia is a congenital abnormality in which one or both ureters does not open into the bladder. This is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in the immature bitch, but is rarely diagnosed in the male dog. Some breeds are predisposed (Siberian Husky, Labrador, Golden Retriever). Typical clinical signs are a continuous (but sometimes intermittent) leakage of urine since birth, although micturition can be normal. Other associated congenital abnormalities can be present (hydronephrosis, double vagina, cryptorchidism). Diagnostic techniques include excretory urography coupled with a pneumocystography, vaginourethrography, cystoscopy, vaginoscopy, and ultrasonography. Ectopic ureters can be unilateral (most commonly) or bilateral, and they are either intramural or extramural. Surgical correction is the treatment of choice. After a successful surgery, some patients can still show some degree of incontinence, due to the presence of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. This residual incontinence can be resolved in the majority of the cases with the use of alpha-adrenergic agents. [less ▲]

OBJECTIVES: To compare retrograde filling cystometry at infusion rates of 5, 10, and 20 mL/min with diuresis cystometry for determination of an appropriate infusion rate and to confirm the reproducibility ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVES: To compare retrograde filling cystometry at infusion rates of 5, 10, and 20 mL/min with diuresis cystometry for determination of an appropriate infusion rate and to confirm the reproducibility of measurements obtained by urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) and cystometry in female Beagles. ANIMALS: Adult female Beagles. PROCEDURE: Successive UPP and cystometry were performed by use of a water perfusion catheter on dogs anesthetized with propofol. Dogs randomly underwent each of the following at 1-week intervals: retrograde filling cystometry at 5, 10, and 20 mL/min, and diuresis cystometry. The maximum urethral pressure and closure pressure, functional and anatomic profile lengths, threshold pressure, threshold volume, and compliance were measured. RESULTS: For each UPP variable, significant differences were found among dogs, but no significant differences were found in intra- or interstudy measurements for individual dogs. For retrograde filling cystometry, threshold pressure was not significantly different between a 5 and 10 mL/min infusion rate. Threshold pressure was significantly higher during retrograde filling cystometry at 20 mL/min, compared with 5 and 10 mL/min, and was associated with bladder wall damages. Threshold pressure was significantly lower during diuresis cystometry, compared with retrograde filling cystometries. Threshold volume and compliance were not significantly different among retrograde filling cystometries but were significantly higher during diuresis cystometry. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Retrograde filling cystometry at 20 mL/min leads to unacceptable sudden increase in threshold bladder pressure. Retrograde filling cystometry at 10 mL/min can be recommended in a clinical setting, shortening the anesthesia time. However, diuresis cystometry approximates physiologic bladder filling most accurately [less ▲]

A 3-year-old cat was presented with increasing dyspnoea over the past four days. Unilateral pleural effusion was diagnosed and a modified transudate was drained several times. Surgical exploration ... [more ▼]

A 3-year-old cat was presented with increasing dyspnoea over the past four days. Unilateral pleural effusion was diagnosed and a modified transudate was drained several times. Surgical exploration revealed intra-thoracic prolapse of the left kidney and partial herniation of the spleen through a dorsal, circumferential diaphragmatic tear. Biochemical analysis of the pleural fluid confirmed urothorax. Due to excessive fibrin deposit on the well-vascularised kidney it was impossible to re-establish left urinary pathways. Left-sided nephrectomy and diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy were performed. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and complete. This is the first report of an urothorax in veterinary medical literature. (C) 2002 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

A six-year-old, male dobermann was presented with a history of dyspnoea and bouts of coughing. Radiography and computed tomography of the thorax showed pleural effusion and a well-circumscribed, calcified ... [more ▼]

A six-year-old, male dobermann was presented with a history of dyspnoea and bouts of coughing. Radiography and computed tomography of the thorax showed pleural effusion and a well-circumscribed, calcified mass of 10 cm in diameter, appearing to originate from the left first rib. Thoracocentesis revealed that the pleural fluid was chylous in nature. An inclsional biopsy was performed, which gave a histological diagnosis of chondroma. Resolution of the chylothorax after en-bloc surgical removal of the tumour suggested that the rib tumour was the initiating cause of the chylothorax. Seventeen months later, rib neoplasia recurred without pleural effusion, and was removed successfully. To the authors' knowledge, rib chondroma, which is an unusual tumour in dogs, has not been previously documented as a cause of chylothorax. [less ▲]